Propriedades nutricionais e bioativas de leite asinino: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Nutritional and bioactive properties of donkey milk: a literature review. 2022. Completion of Course Work (Undergraduate in Nutrition) – Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, 2022. Historically known as a multipurpose animal, used as agricultural traction and means of transport, mainly in rural areas of the country, the Equus Asinus has been gaining prominence in recent decades in the scientific community from the production of its milk with high biological value. The creation of donkeys on small farms in northeastern Brazil for milk production has grown and aroused the interest of investors, making it increasingly necessary to develop studies and survey the characteristics and properties of the milk of this species. With a nutritional composition similar to human milk, it becomes a great substitute for feeding individuals who are allergic to bovine milk, especially in lactating children. However, the literature is still lacking in information that provides a more detailed description of the nutritional and bioactive properties of donkey milk, as well as more robust comparisons between this matrix and other milks from different species of mammals. Knowledge of the nutritional and bioactive quality of donkey milk can contribute to a better estimate of nutrient intake and health effects of diets based on this milk and better direct its applicability in the food or pharmaceutical industry. In this way, the objective was to carry out a broad bibliographical survey about the nutritional and bioactive properties of donkey milk, with the objective of detailing characteristics of its nutritional quality and bringing what has been studied so far regarding the bioactive activity of its components, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiproliferative and hypoglycemic activity. For this, studies with an emphasis on the composition of macronutrients and micronutrients were used to support the topic addressed. It is concluded that donkey milk has a strong nutritional and bioactive potential, requiring research to assess its viability in the processing of food and pharmaceutical products and implications for human health based on further in vitro and in vivo studies.